April 2011

In February, I commented that the proceeds of registered retirement savings plans (RRSP) and insurance take outside of the estate. In plain English, the beneficiaries of such plans and/or policies are entitled to payout regardless of whether they are named as beneficiaries in the will (exemptions being the beneficiaries are named due to fraud, undue [...]

According to the CIA World Fact Book, China’s real GDP growth last year was 10.3%. Yet, The Shanghai Composite Index, which tracks the largest stocks trading in China, was down 14% in 2010. How can the economy do so well and the stock market so poorly at the same time? The “experts” believe stock market [...]

The conventional wisdom on emergency funds is one should have 3-6 months of fixed costs set aside for a rainy day. The figure is typically cited without context. For example, compare loss of income due to traumatic injury versus an unpaid bereavement leave. Both are equally horrible but each has a different effect on cash [...]

I have a long running debate with my Dad about dividend stocks. My Dad’s mantra is “dividend yield, dividend yield, dividend yield.” For years, I would ask him to consider factors such as dividend payout ratio, dividend growth rate and the price to earnings ratio but, invariably, he would say “yes, but what about the [...]

In attempting to settle the debate about owing a condo as a real estate investment vs. purchasing an apartment real estate investment trust (REIT), Macquarie Capital Markets Canada published a report finding that apartment REITs outperformed condo investments in both Calgary and Toronto with higher yields and less volatility for the years 2008-2010 (a summary [...]

Our regular columnist Mom2KG is back to answer the question of whether boys or girls cost more. Enjoy. As loyal readers may know, TMW is a personal friend of mine. He doesn’t pay me to guest blog here (thus saving him from thinking up half a week’s blogging chores), but he takes me out to [...]

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